5 Best Spa Hotels in Essaouira for a Pampering Escape
Looking for the best spa hotels in Essaouira? Discover 5 incredible places to stay for a pampering escape in this relaxed coastal city.
For me, Essaouira is a destination that’s all about sun, sand and surf. But you could also add “spa” into that mix. This former Portuguese trading post has a really laidback feel after the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. It’s the kind of place where you might just want to treat yourself to a little pampering experience.
For several years, we lived on the coast around two hours south of Essaouira. But there were no spa facilities in our village. So occasionally, I’d make the journey north to indulge myself at one of Essaouira’s spa hotels, which offered a completely different experience to my local hammam.
Essaouira‘s wonderful spa hotels include everything from big-name international chains by the beach to charming countryside retreats and boutique riads in the medina. While some focus on offering hammam rituals and massages, others have sprawling wellness complexes with thalassotherapy and hydromassage treatments.
In this article, I’ll share with you 5 of the best spa hotels in Essaouira, which cater to everyone from solo travellers and couples to spa-loving families.
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Hotel Le Medina Thalassa Sea & Spa
Best hotel in Essaouira with a thalassotherapy spa
Overlooking Plage d’Essaouira, this oceanfront boutique hotel forms part of the luxurious MGallery Collection. It boasts 117 contemporary rooms and suites, as well as several restaurants that include L’Arganier and MBeach.
At the heart of this upmarket Essaouira hotel is its Thalassotherapy and Spa Institute, which is basically a wellness and rejuvenation hub. It offers a range of traditional sculpting and beauty treatments using locally-sourced organic products. Additionally, there are several hydromassage cabins.
I can highly recommend the authentic hammam ritual, followed by a swim in the heated saltwater pool.
As part of its cultural offerings, Hotel Le Medina also hosts changing art exhibitions and regular music/DJ nights. In summary, there’s a lot to love about this Essaouira spa resort!
“Great hotel in a fantastic location with all the amenities needed…The spa was really lovely and had different types of offerings, which I appreciated.” – Jacqueline (read more reviews here)
Ryad Watier & Spa
Best romantic riad in Essaouira with a spa
Occupying a former school, this eclectically designed Essaouira hotel has been carefully restored to maintain its traditional design. Each of its 10 rooms is colourfully decorated with Moroccan-inspired furnishings and decor, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans.
The couple suites feature king-size beds and cosy sitting areas, with some also including fireplaces for a romantic touch.
When you’re not out sightseeing in the medina, you can relax in the Moroccan hammam where scrubs and massages are offered by professional practitioners. All of the products used are naturally derived, creating an authentically local spa experience.
The lovely rooftop terrace and friendliness of the staff only add to the experience of staying at this highly-rated Essaouira riad with a spa.
“A perfect home away from home in Essaouira: you won’t want to leave!” – George (read more reviews here)
Heure Bleue Palais
Best luxury spa hotel in Essaouira
Under the prestigious Relais & Châteaux brand, this luxury Essaouira hotel offers enchanting stays just a stone’s throw from Bab Marrakech. It features 33 beautifully appointed rooms and suites set around a plant-filled patio, as well as a rooftop pool offering incredible views across the medina.
At Le P’tit Spa, you’ll find an intimate wellness facility where traditional hammams and massage treatments are available. Covered in black tadelakt, the hammam is particularly atmospheric and offers a quintessential Moroccan experience (albeit with a luxury touch!)
Le Salon Oriental dishes up everything from locally caught sardines to lobster for those nights when you don’t want to venture out. For a culturally immersive experience, you can join one of the hands-on cooking classes run by Chef Ahmed Handour.
“Wonderful, elegant, had a hard time leaving the hotel for sightseeing.” – Emre (read more reviews here)
Riad Perle d’Eau
Best Essaouira riad with a spa
Set smack-bang on the ramparts, this boutique Essaouira hotel offers spectacular views across the Atlantic Ocean. It boasts six beautifully appointed rooms and four luxurious suites, each of which is individually decorated. Plus, there’s a table d’hôte serving elevated Moroccan cuisine.
In terms of relaxation, this Essaouira spa hotel features an onsite hammam where you can enjoy an authentic “beldi” (“traditional”) experience with natural essential oils. Massages using deep pressure and fluid movements are also available and tailored to individual needs.
Riad Perle d’Eau is staffed by a team of enthusiastic locals, who are always happy to share their insights into the local culture.
“Beautiful little gem of a hotel…You would never guess what lies behind the single front door.” – Donna (read more reviews here)
Riad Dar Etto
Best spa hotel in the Essaouira countryside
Nestled in the countryside around six kilometres from Essaouira, this atmospheric riad receives rave reviews for its warm hospitality. The charming stone architecture of Riad Dar Etto only enhances the property’s appeal. Meanwhile, the beautiful garden comes complete with a swimming pool – it’s an idyllic escape from the lively medina.
While the spa facilities here are limited to a traditional hammam, you can also book massages and foot reflexology treatments on request. In the grounds, there are plenty of cosy corners where you can retreat with a book, along with a fireplace that brings a comforting warmth during the winter season.
“We had a fantastic stay in Riad Dar Etto, the staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The rooms are lovely, spacious and clean. The pool is beautiful and a great place to relax.”- Matthew (read more reviews here)
Tips for selecting a spa hotel in Essaouira
When selecting a spa hotel in Essaouira, there are a few things to consider to ensure your stay is exactly what you envisioned.
Firstly, do you want to stay at a traditional riad with just a handful of wellness facilities, such as a hammam and a massage treatment room? If so, somewhere like Riad Perle d’Eau or Ryad Watier & Spa will be ideal. Or perhaps you want a sprawling resort with extensive spa services, such as Hotel Le Medina Thalassa Sea & Spa.
Before booking, be sure to read reviews from previous guests to get a sense of their experiences at the spa and the hotel in general. What were the rooms like? Did the dining experiences live up to expectations? How was the hospitality and service?
While many of the best spa hotels in Essaouira are luxurious (with a price tag to match), such as the gorgeous Heure Bleue Palais, you don’t have to break the bank. Both Riad Perle d’Eau and Ryad Watier & Spa are relatively affordable options. Alternatively, consider staying in the peaceful countryside surrounding Essaouira at somewhere like Riad Dar Etto.
Top tip:
When searching for the best spa hotels in Essaouira, carefully consider the location. While the medina can be disruptive for light sleepers with the call to prayer ringing out from its many mosques, it also offers a wonderful insight into daily life in this historic city. Another positive is that the medina is car-free, so you won’t hear any noise from motorised vehicles at night.
Finally, remember that every hotel in Essaouira charges a government-mandated tourist tax that must be paid directly to the property. This fee is separate from the nightly room rate and is usually settled during check-in or check-out. It is applicable to each person per night, with the exception of children under 12 years old.
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About Me
I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.
Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.
I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.
